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Two burglars have been jailed for a total of 11 years after they who stole a massive haul of gold jewellery “fenced” by a family of jewellers.
Nick Guidotti and Peter Lord, both 24, along with prolific offender Albie Kelly, 23, targeted homes in Kent and Essex between May and July last year.
In one burglary in Main Road, Longfield, almost £50,000 worth of valuables were taken while the owner was out. A home in Rosedale Close, Dartford, was also stripped of jewellery.
Guidotti, of Thorney Bay Road, Canvey Island, was jailed for five years and Lord, of Wigton Road, Romford, for six years.
Judge Adele Williams said she felt it was necessary to go outside sentencing guidelines for such offences “to reflect the overall criminality”.
Kelly, of New Road, Rainham, Essex, who was responsible for multiple break-ins, was due to be sentenced later this week.
Prosecutor Bridget Todd told Maidstone Crown Court the Longfield victim had been asked to identify a number of stolen items, but a large amount was still outstanding.
He had told how the theft affected his wife until her passing earlier this year.
The Dartford victim had returned home on May 24 last year to find the bungalow had been ransacked.
A witness had seen a Mini Cooper parked across the drive. After it was moved he spotted a box containing some jewellery on top of a bin.
Kelly admitted three offences of burglary and theft, Guidotti admitted 15 counts of burglary and Lord admitted 11 burglaries.
Lord committed eight of his burglaries while on bail for the other three.
Jeweller Brian Maltman, 55, and his son Daniel, 23, denied money laundering and conspiracy to handle stolen goods, but were convicted. Brian Maltman’s wife Kim, 56, denied money laundering and was convicted.
Brian Maltman was jailed for 10 years, Daniel Maltman for six years and Kim Maltman for four years.
Police discovered the three, of Havering Road, Romford, were connected to a string of burglaries.
Their business, Facets at Edmonton Green in Edmonton, north London, was said to be struggling when they became involved.
Large amounts of stolen jewellery was taken for smelting in Hatton Garden and they were paid about £1.4 million.
During the two-week trial, a jury heard the crime enabled the family to enjoy a lavish lifestyle in a mortgage-free property with three cars.
The proceeds also funded lavish holidays in Las Vegas, Barbados, the Bahamas and Thailand.